Method for production of emulsion fuel and apparatus for production of the fuel

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an emulsion-type water-mixed fuel which is free from separating between an oil and a water, thereby being excellent in stability, has a high combustion efficiency, and an extremely high energy-saving effect. An emulsion fuel, in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less (more preferably, average diameter is 200 to 700 nm), is formed by finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by a finely-dividing and mixing means, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of the water with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil (more preferably, 25.0 to 120.0 parts by volume of the water with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil). Further, the water to be used preferably has a reduction potential of −100 my or lower, more preferably −300 my or lower.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a water-oil emulsion fuel, and more particularly, to an emulsion fuel capable of contributing to energy saving and pollution control, and used as a fuel for various power engines or combustion furnaces.

2. Related Art

The reduction of an amount of oil usage due to a rise of a crude oil and in conformity with enforcement of Kyoto Protocol is a big issue all over the world. Under the circumstances, research on an emulsion-type water-mixed fuel have been made in Japan, and many patent applications relating to compositions and manufacturing methods have been filed. Some of those applications have been made into a practical use.

(Patent Document) JP 2006-329438

(Patent Document) JP 2006-188616

(Patent Document) JP 2005-344088

(Patent Document) JP 2004-123947

(Patent Document) JP 2003-113385

As described above, various emulsion-type water-mixed fuels have been proposed. However, such fuels still appear to be lacking in stable combustion, and thus have not been practically adopted. In addition, the diameters of the particles constituting those emulsions are several μm to several tens μm.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The inventors of the present invention have sought to improve the stability, which being identified as a shortcoming of the emulsion-type water-mixed fuel, and have pursued their intensive studies, based on an idea that there needs a mixing thereof under a ultrafine particle state (i.e., nano level), in order to stably combust the emulsion of water and the combustion oil.

As a result of the intensive studies, the inventors of the present invention found that combustion with high efficiency, which could not be attained by the conventional emulsion fuel, may be realized by reducing an average particle diameter of respective particles in the emulsion fuel into 1,000 nm or less.

Further, the inventors of the present invention found that, in order to stabilize the emulsion of water and the combustion oil so as not to cause separation therein, it is preferred to form a mixture of ultrafine particle state (i.e., nano level).

In addition, also found was that if the water used for the production thereof is subjected to reduction, a surface tension of the water is reduced, whereby the water becomes likely to easily mix with the combustible oil, and that, under an extreme state, the mixing may be attained with no emulsifier.

Embodiments of present invention have been made based on the above-mentioned findings, and relates to a method and an apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel having the following constructions.

(1) A method for production of an emulsion fuel, comprising, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil (more preferably, 25.0 to 120.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil), finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by a finely-dividing and mixing means, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.

(2) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to the above item (1), wherein the emulsion fuel, in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm, is formed by finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means.

(3) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to the above item (1), wherein the emulsion fuel, in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm, is formed by adding the combustible oil to the water having a reduction potential of −100 my or lower, and by finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means.

(4) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (1) to (3), wherein the water is one or two or more selected from a tap water for drinking, a rain water, a domestic waste water, an organic waste water, an industrial waste water, or a stockbreeding waste water.

(5) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (1) to (4), wherein the combustible oil is one kind or two or more kinds selected from: petroleum such as a heavy oil, a light oil, a lamp oil, and a volatile oil; an industrial waste oil; and cooking oils such as a tempura oil, a soybean oil, a sesame oil.

(6) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (1) to (5), wherein the combustible oil or the water, or the combustible oil and the water comprise(s) PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) or dioxins, or PCBs and dioxins.

(7) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (1) to (6), wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure, and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.

(8) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (1) to (7), wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which: a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure to be caused to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; the primary mixture liquid is accelerated to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence between flows of the liquid.

(9) An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel, including: a water-combustible oil primary mixing means for primarily mixing a water and a combustible oil, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of the water with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil (more preferably, 25.0 to 120.0 parts by volume of the water with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil); and a finely-dividing and mixing means for finely-dividing and mixing a water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid obtained by the primary mixing means into a fine particle state, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.

(10) An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to the above item (9), wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means finely-divide and mix the water-combustible oil-based mixture obtained by the primary mixing means into the fine particle state, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm.

(11) A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to the above item (9) or (10), wherein a reduction potential of the water to be adopted is −100 my or lower.

(12) An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (9) to (11), wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to pass through one or two or more of small pores, and finely-divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at orifices.

(13) An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to any one of the above items (9) to (11), wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; accelerates the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 200 μm or less formed therein; and finely-divides and mixes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid by causing a cavitation by turbulence between flows of the liquid generated by orifices.

(14) An emulsion fuel, wherein 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of a water is mixed with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil (more preferably, 25.0 to 120.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil) by the finely-dividing and mixing means, and an average diameter of the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.

(15) An emulsion fuel according to the above item (14), wherein the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil in the emulsion fuel is 200 to 700 nm.

In addition, the following inventions having other aspects are also proposed.

(16) An operation method for an internal combustion engine, comprising: while adding 25.0 to 40.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil, finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by a finely-dividing and mixing means, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less; and spraying the obtained emulsion fuel into a reciprocating engine, to thereby operate the internal combustion engine.

(17) An operation method for an internal combustion engine, comprising: while adding 25.0 to 40.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil, finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by a finely-dividing and mixing means, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm; and spraying the obtained emulsion fuel into a reciprocating engine, to thereby operate the internal combustion engine.

(18) An emulsion fuel for operating a reciprocating engine, wherein 25.0 to 40.0 parts by volume of a water is mixed with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means, and an average diameter of a water or a combustible oil in the emulsion fuel is 200 to 700 nm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a set of graphs illustrating fuel test results of a power engine which uses an emulsion fuel according to an embodiment of the present invention and another fuel.

FIG. 2 is a set of graphs illustrating fuel test results of the power engine which uses the emulsion fuel according to another embodiment of the present invention and the other fuel.

FIG. 3 is a set of graphs illustrating fuel test results of the power engine which uses the emulsion fuel according to yet another embodiment of the present invention and the other fuel.

FIG. 4 is a set of graphs illustrating fuel test results of the power engine which uses the emulsion fuel according to still another embodiment of the present invention and the other fuel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments of the present invention, an oil and a water are mixed together under ultra fine states to produce an emulsion fuel, thereby being capable of contributing to improve fuel consumption and to make combustion exhaust gas clean.

As a finely-dividing and mixing means used for producing the emulsion fuel of the present invention, for example, there may be given an apparatus, which pressurizes a primary mixture liquid including a water and a combustible oil that finely divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.

Further, as the finely-dividing and mixing means, there may be given an apparatus, which pressurizes a primary mixture liquid including a water and a combustible oil to cause to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; accelerates the primary mixture liquid to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and finely divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated between flows of the liquid.

In addition, a preferred method for the production of an emulsion fuel includes using: a water-combustible oil primary mixing means for primarily mixing a water and a combustible oil, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of the water (more preferably, 25.0 to 120.0 parts by volume of the water) with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil; and a finely-dividing and mixing means for finely-dividing and mixing the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid obtained by the primary mixing means into a fine particle state, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.

Preferably, while adding 25 to 120 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil, the mixture liquid is introduced into a Nanomizer™ apparatus for finely-dividing and mixing a primary mixture liquid dispersed within a liquid sample, and the primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is finely-divided and mixed, thereby forming an emulsion fuel of a mixture including a ultra fine diameter particles of the water and the combustible oil. The Nanomizer™ apparatus is manufactured by Yoshida Kikai Co., Ltd. Of Japan.

For example, the primary mixture liquid is subject to a pressure with a plunger within Nanomizer™ to cause the primary mixture liquid to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 100 m/s or more, and then the accelerated primary mixture liquid passes through a groove(s) (pore(s)) of two pieces of disks, each having the groove(s) (pore(s)) of about 100 μm at right angle, to cause flows of the liquid to collide with each other, thereby finely-dividing and mixing the liquid.

Based on the above, the water-combustible oil mixture liquid is caused to pass through orifice holes of 200 μm or less of the Nanomizer™ apparatus with a high pressure for several stages. The turbulence is generated when the mixture liquid passes through the narrow orifices, and a strong nano level agitation effect is generated owing to the turbulence effect.

As a result, the water (or oil) is finely divided into a nano level (for example, average diameter of water is 200 to 700 nm), and the resultants are dispersed within the oil (to form W/O type emulsion) thereby attaining stabilization.

Further, in embodiments of the present invention, it is preferred to first lower the reduction potential of the water. The reduction method for the water is not particularly limited, but a method using electrolysis is industrially preferred. In addition, there may be given a method using a chemical, or a method using an ore such as tourmarine.

In the method using the electrolysis, hydrogen generates at a cathode and oxygen generates at an anode during the electrolysis. However, during the electrolysis, the oxygen is unnecessary, and hence the oxygen is discharged by using a barrier, or is fixed by allowing the oxygen to react with an anode plate. As an electrode at that time, zinc, magnesium, or an alloy thereof may be used.

The reduction potential of the water is preferably −100 my or less, and −300 my or less is preferred, if possible.

The water and the oil are difficult to mixed with each other because a surface tension of the water is large. If the reduction potential is lowered, the surface tension decreases, resulting in easier mixing together.

Further, if a temperature thereof is increased, a cluster becomes also smaller, and a viscosity becomes smaller, resulting in being easily mixed together.

Like this, although adjustments of factors such as the reduction potential of the water, temperature, and the pressure of Nanomizer™ apparatus are associated but those are relative to each other. Therefore, in a case where the combustible oil is added to the water having the reduction potential which is lowered to −100 my or less, preferably −300 my to −700 my, and the temperature thereof is raised to 50° C. or more, preferably to 70 to 90° C., and the oil and the water are finely-divided and mixed into a ultra fine particle state, there is a relationship that the pressure of Nanomizer™ apparatus may be made relatively small when the reduction potential becomes lower.

Example 1

Descriptions are made of examples and a comparative example of embodiments of the present invention.

First, 8 L of a water (tap water) was heated to 70° C., and an oxidation-reduction potential thereof was reduced to −114 my using a bath water reduction apparatus manufactured by Kangen Co., Ltd.

To 1.96 L of the reduced water, 5.88 L of an A heavy oil and 160 cc of an emulsifier were added, and after a primary agitation by a manual agitation, the resultant mixture was caused to pass through Nanomizer™ apparatus with a pressure 3 MP to be finely-divided and mixed, whereby an emulsion fuel of the present invention was produced.

The obtained emulsion fuel is a W/O type emulsion, and average diameter of the water in the emulsion was 300 to 500 nm.

The thus obtained emulsion fuel of the present invention was set to be Sample 2. The mixture liquid produced in the same way as in Sample 2 was caused to pass through Nanomizer™ apparatus with 8 MP to obtain an emulsion fuel of the present invention, which was set to be Sample 3.

Further, Sample 1 is a A heavy oil as a comparative example, Sample 4 is a light oil as a comparative example, and Samples 5 and 6 each are obtained by the same processing as in Samples 2 and 3, and are emulsion fuels of the present invention in which the light oil is used in place of the A heavy oil.

(Sample 5 and Sample 6 were caused to pass through Nanomizer™ apparatus with pressures of 3 MP and 8 MP, respectively, to be finely-divided and mixed).

Details of the respective test samples are listed as follows.

(Emulsion Fuel, and A Heavy Oil and Light Oil for Comparison, Which Were Used for Engine Characteristics Test)

Sample 1: A heavy oil 100% (for comparison)

Sample 2: A heavy oil 73.5%, reduced water 24.5%, activator 2%, processed by Nanomizer™ apparatus with 3 MP (emulsion fuel)

Sample 3: A heavy oil 73.5%, reduced water 24.5%, activator 2% processed by Nanomizer™ apparatus with 8 MP (emulsion fuel)

Sample 4: light oil 100% (for comparison)

Sample 5: light oil 73.5%, reduced water 24.5%, activator 2%, processed by Nanomizer™ apparatus with 3 MP (emulsion fuel)

Sample 6: light oil 73.5%, reduced water 24.5%, activator 2%, processed by Nanomizer™ apparatus with 8 MP (emulsion fuel)

Results of combustion tests of the engine using the above-mentioned respective samples are shown in Table 1 to Table 3, and FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

TABLE 1 <Number of rotation of engine 1,000 rpm> Exhaust Fuel Name of Output Torque Temperature Smoke Consumption Fuel (KW) (N-m) (° C.) (%) (L/H) Sample 1 3.45 32.96 442 96 1.89 Sample 2 3.52 33.51 450 74 1.31 Sample 3 3.51 33.44 447 80 1.31 Sample 4 3.49 33.10 431 96 1.91 Sample 5 3.53 33.56 448 76 1.35 Sample 6 3.53 33.64 442 80 1.29

TABLE 2 <Number of rotation of engine 1,400 to 2,200 rpm> Exhaust Fuel Name of Output Torque temperature Smoke Consumption Fuel (KW) (N-m) (° C.) (%) (L/H) Sample 1 6.84 33.1 592 86 2.77 Sample 2 6.46 31.7 554 53 2.05 Sample 3 6.43 31.5 560 50 2.04 Sample 4 6.75 32.7 519 83 2.74 Sample 5 6.47 31.8 558 50 2.06 Sample 6 6.47 31.8 566 52 2.09 *average value at 1,400, 1800, and 2,200 rpm was taken for comparison.

TABLE 3 <Number of rotation of engine 2,700 rpm> Exhaust Fuel Name of Output Torque temperature Smoke Consumption Fuel (KW) (N-m) (° C.) (%) (L/H) Sample 1 4.57 16.01 441 46 2.59 Sample 2 4.22 14.74 443 7 1.86 Sample 3 4.21 14.81 441 4 1.85 Sample 4 4.16 14.55 338 18 2.59 Sample 5 4.23 14.80 385 4 1.86 Sample 6 4.10 14.42 377 4 1.89

Table 1 is test results of a case in which the number of rotation of the engine is 1,000 rpm, Table 2 is test results of a case in which the number of rotation of the engine is 1,400 to 2,200 rpm, and Table 3 is test results of a case in which the number of rotation of the engine is 2,700 rpm.

Further, FIG. 1 is a set of graphs showing engine test results in which Sample 1 (comparative example fuel) and Sample 2 (emulsion fuel of the present invention) were used, FIG. 2 is a set of graphs showing engine test results in which Sample 1 (comparative example fuel) and Sample 3 (emulsion fuel of the present invention) were used, FIG. 3 is a set of graphs showing engine test results in which Sample 4 (comparative example fuel) and Sample 5 (emulsion fuel of the present invention) were used, and FIG. 4 is a set of graphs showing engine test results in which Sample 4 (comparative example fuel) and Sample 6 (emulsion fuel of the present invention) were used.

Example 2

In this example, a diesel generator of 13ES-type manufactured by Denyo Co., Ltd. was used to successively measure the concentrations of nitrogen oxides and oxygen within an exhaust gas together with a power generation amount per unit heavy oil, whereby the power generation efficiency of the emulsion fuel of the present invention was measured.

As the emulsion fuel of the present invention, an emulsion fuel having a composition including 75 wt % of a Special A heavy oil, 24.7 wt % of a water, and 0.3 wt % of an emulsifier was produced and used.

To 8.33 L of the A heavy oil, 2.50 L of the water and 0.04 L of the emulsifier 0.04 L (100 parts by volume of the heavy oil: 29.7 parts by volume of the water: 0.5 parts by volume of the emulsifier) were added, and after a primary agitation by a manual agitation, the resultant mixture was caused to pass through Nanomizer™ apparatus with a pressure 3 MP to be finely-divided and mixed, thus the emulsion fuel of the present invention was produced. The average diameter of the water in the emulsion fuel was 300 to 500 nm.

The emulsion fuel of the present invention and sole A heavy oil (comparative example) are used as the fuels to successively operate the above-mentioned diesel generator, NOx concentration within the exhaust gas and the power generation amount were measured. The concentrations of NOx and O₂ within the exhaust gas were measured successively at an exit smoke-flue of the generator.

The measurement results of the exhaust gas, which was generated by the use of the emulsion fuel of the present invention, are shown in Table 4, and the measurement results of the exhaust gas when the Special A heavy oil was solely used as fuel are shown in Table 5. In the case where the emulsion fuel of the present invention was used, an average NOx concentration within the exhaust gas was 193 ppm. When the heavy oil was solely used as fuel, the average value of the NOx concentration was 369 ppm. As a result, there was found that the NOx concentration within the exhaust gas may be largely reduced by the use of the fuel of the present invention.

TABLE 4 Combustion results of emulsion fuel (Special A heavy oil 75%, H₂O 24.7%, emulsifier 0.3%) NOxO₂ Equivalent NOx (ppm) Measurement measured O₂ 13% Exhaust Gas Time value Concentration Conversion Temperature (:) (ppm) (%) Value (° C.) 12:50 130 14.5 160 12:55 140 14.2 165 13:00 175 12.6 167 13:05 194 12.1 174 13:10 205 12.0 182 13:15 201 12.0 179 190 13:20 201 12.1 179 13:25 201 12.0 181 13:30 211 12.0 188 13:35 212 12.0 188 13:40 208 12.0 185 190 13:45 214 12.0 190 13:50 217 12.0 193 191 13:55 196 12.0 174 191 193 12.4 179 Used instrument: NOx meter chemiluminescence (Best Instrument, BCL-611 type) O₂ meter zirconia method (Best Instrument, BCL-611 type) Measurement method: NOx concentration JIS B7982 continuous analysis O₂ concentration JIS B7983 continuous analysis Exhaust gas temperature in conformity with JIS Z-8808

TABLE 5 NOx, O₂ Concentrations, Continuous Measurement Results Special A-heavy oil 100% Combustion NOxO₂ Equivalent NOx O₂ (ppm) Temperature Measurement Measurement Con- 13% of Exhaust Time Value centration Conversion Gas (:) (ppm) (%) Value (° C.) 10:55 305 14.6 381 11:00 306 14.7 389 11:05 359 12.9 355 11:10 406 11.7 349 11:15 408 11.7 351 11:20 397 11.7 342 11:25 379 12.0 337 11:30 380 12.2 345 154 11:35 373 12.2 339 154 11:40 375 12.2 341 154 11:45 376 12.2 342 154 Average 369 12.6 352 Used instrument: NOx meter chemiluminescence (Best Instrument, BCL-611 type) O₂ meter zirconia method (Best Instrument, BCL-611 type) Measurement method: NOx concentration JIS B7982 continuous analysis O₂ concentration JIS B7983 continuous analysis Exhaust gas temperature in conformity with JIS Z-8808

Further, results of power generation of this example are shown in Table 6. The power generation amount per unit heavy oil of the diesel generator was 3.33 KWH/Kg when the emulsion fuel of the present invention was used, and was 2.73 KWH/Kg when the sole heavy oil was used as fuel. In the emulsion fuel of the present invention, the power generation amount was increased by about 22%, whereby it was shown that the power generation efficiency of the emulsion fuel of the present invention was improved.

TABLE 6 Application to diesel generator Power Generation A-heavy Power Amount of oil within Generation A-heavy Oil per fuel Amount 1 kg (g) KWH KWH/Kg Fuel A-heavy oil (g) Conventional 4,395 4,395 11.9 2.71 Method 4,400 4,400 11.7 2.66 6,035 6,035 17.0 2.81 Average 2.73 Emulsion Fuel A-heavy oil 75%, Water 24.7% Emulsifier 0.3% (g) Patent 6,460 4,703 18.5 3.93 Method 4,510 3,270 10.8 3.30 5,540 4,009 12.8 3.19 5,595 4,048 13.1 3.24 1,470 1,063  3.1 3.01 Average 3.33 Note: Power generator: TLG-13ESY type, manufactured by Denyo 10.5 KVA, 200 V, Three phase

The followings are found from the above-mentioned combustion test results of the above-mentioned respective samples.

1. In all the sample fuels, there was no large variation in performances under full load operation.

2. In the emulsion fuel, smoke was markedly improved.

3. The consumption amount (use amount) of the combustible oil for obtaining an output and torque exerted by solely using a combustible oil was reduced by about 25% by using the emulsion fuel of the present invention.

4. In the emulsion fuel, performance of the engine was degraded during light loading. The exhaust temperature was also lowered.

In other words, the emulsion fuel of the present invention, in which 24.5% of the water was added to the A-heavy oil or the light oil, exhibited almost the same characteristics as 100% A-heavy oil or 100% light oil up to 2,200 rpm. This is astonishingly excellent performance.

However, at the rotation of 2,600 rpm or more, it seems to cause a misfire. Accordingly, in a case where the emulsion fuel of the present invention is used for a ship, for instance, it is considered to be good to use a light oil in a harbor, and then to switch to use the emulsion fuel outside the harbor.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the mixture liquid including a water and a combustible oil is, for example, subjected to a pressure to cause to pass through one or a plurality of small holes, thereby producing the emulsion fuel by finely-diving and mixing the mixture through the cavitation effect due to the turbulence generated when passing through orifices. For example, the emulsion fuel containing about 25% of the finely-divided and mixed water does not cause engine trouble, if being burned within the engine, and exhibits substantially the same output and torque with the A-heavy oil or the light oil. In addition, the fuel consumption amount is also the same even though 25% of the water is contained therein (by simple calculation, 25% of energy saving is attained).

Moreover, the generation of soot and dioxin are reduced into ½ to ⅕ (theoretically no generation), and NO_(x) was also reduced into about ½ to ⅓. As a result, the emulsion fuel of the present invention has a further energy saving effect as a fuel for combustion furnace, and attains 25% to 35% energy saving. In addition, the waste oil may also be used as a raw material.

Conventionally, the emulsion fuel (water-oil-based emulsion-type water-mixed fuel) is obtained by adding 0.5% to 5% of the emulsifier to the water and oil, and by agitating and mixing the mixture into emulsion, and generally contains particles having an average diameter of several μm to several tens μm. Even if the emulsion fuel is produced using a particularly excellent emulsifier, the average particle diameter was about several μm (about 1 μm to 3 μm), which is a so-called water-mixed fuel of an emulsified-state liquid (emulsion fuel).

However, the emulsion fuel of the emulsified-state liquid has a tendency of separating with elapse of time, and, even if the separation does not occur, has a nature in which the viscosity thereof becomes higher (dilatancy) with the elapse of time, which is opposite to thixotropy, thereby causing an accident such as clogging of a pipe or a nozzle.

The emulsion fuel obtained by the present invention constitutes an emulsion fuel in which the oil and the water are mixed under a ultra fine particle state (i.e., nano level), and the average particle diameter constituting the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm, preferably 200 nm to 700 nm. As a result, the stability thereof is extremely excellent, and has high combustion efficiency, whereby the emulsion fuel of the present invention may be used for all the purposes such as for an engine, a combustion furnace, an incinerator, a boiler, and a generator.

For example, if the emulsion fuel of the present invention is used for an engine fuel for a vehicle and a ship, 15% to 25% of energy saving may be achieved. Further, soot and dioxin may be reduced into ½ to ⅕, and NO_(x) may be reduced about ½ to ⅓, thereby attaining low pollution and excellent stability. As a result, it becomes possible to produce the fine particle mixture liquid at a gas station, and to refuel the liquid into a fuel tank of the vehicle as currently carried out. Moreover, the emulsion fuel of the present invention may be applied for the boiler, the generator, the combustion furnace and the incinerator, and utilization of the waste oil is possible. Such a result was obtained that, if the emulsion fuel of the present invention is used for the combustion furnace, the energy saving effect may be increased by 30% to 40%. 

1. A method for production of an emulsion fuel, comprising, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of a water with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil, finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by a finely-dividing and mixing means, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less. 2.-15. (canceled)
 16. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure, and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.
 17. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which: a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure to be caused to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; the primary mixture liquid is accelerated to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence between flows of the liquid.
 18. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the emulsion fuel, in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm, is formed by finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means.
 19. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 18, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure, and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.
 20. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 18, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which: a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure to be caused to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; the primary mixture liquid is accelerated to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence between flows of the liquid.
 21. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the emulsion fuel, in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm, is formed by adding the combustible oil to the water having a reduction potential of −100 my or lower, and by finely-dividing and mixing the water and the combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means.
 22. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 21, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure, and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.
 23. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 21, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which: a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure to be caused to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; the primary mixture liquid is accelerated to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence between flows of the liquid.
 24. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the water is one or two or more selected from a tap water for drinking, a rain water, a domestic waste water, an organic waste water, an industrial waste water, or a stockbreeding waste water.
 25. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the combustible oil is one kind or two or more kinds selected from: petroleum such as a heavy oil, a light oil, a lamp oil, and a volatile oil; an industrial waste oil; and cooking oils such as a tempura oil, a soybean oil, a sesame oil.
 26. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 1, wherein the combustible oil or the water, or the combustible oil and the water comprise(s) PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) or dioxins, or PCBs and dioxins.
 27. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 26, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure, and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at one or two or more of orifices.
 28. A method for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 26, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means comprises an apparatus in which: a primary mixture liquid including the water and the combustible oil is subjected to a pressure to be caused to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; the primary mixture liquid is accelerated to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 500 μm or less formed therein; and is finely-divided and mixed through a cavitation effect due to turbulence between flows of the liquid.
 29. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel, comprising: a water-combustible oil primary mixing means for primarily mixing a water and the combustible oil, while adding 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of the water with respect to 100 parts by volume of the combustible oil; and a finely-dividing and mixing means for finely-dividing and mixing a water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid obtained by the primary mixing means into a fine particle state, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which an average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.
 30. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 29, wherein a reduction potential of the water to be adopted is −100 my or lower.
 31. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 29, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to pass through one or two or more of small pores, and finely-divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at orifices.
 32. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 29, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; accelerates the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 200 μm or less formed therein; and finely-divides and mixes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid by causing a cavitation by turbulence generated by orifices between flows of the liquid.
 33. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 29, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means finely-divide and mix the water-combustible oil-based mixture obtained by the primary mixing means into the fine particle state, to thereby form an emulsion fuel in which the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil is 200 to 700 nm.
 34. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 33, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to pass through one or two or more of small pores, and finely-divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at orifices.
 35. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 33, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; accelerates the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 200 μm or less formed therein; and finely-divides and mixes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid by causing a cavitation by turbulence generated by orifices between flows of the liquid.
 36. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 33, wherein a reduction potential of the water to be adopted is −100 mv or lower.
 37. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 36, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to pass through one or two or more of small pores, and finely-divides and mixes through a cavitation effect due to turbulence generated at orifices.
 38. An apparatus for production of an emulsion fuel according to claim 36, wherein the finely-dividing and mixing means pressurizes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to cause to flow within a pump at a flow rate of 50 m/s or more; accelerates the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid to pass into holes of a wall member having multiple holes each having a diameter of 200 μm or less formed therein; and finely-divides and mixes the water-combustible oil-based primary mixture liquid by causing a cavitation by turbulence generated by orifices between flows of the liquid.
 39. An emulsion fuel, wherein 10.0 to 150.0 parts by volume of a water is mixed with respect to 100 parts by volume of a combustible oil by the finely-dividing and mixing means, and an average diameter of the combustible oil is 1,000 nm or less.
 40. An emulsion fuel according to claim 39, wherein the average diameter of the water or the combustible oil in the emulsion fuel is 200 to 700 nm. 